Premiere Date: June 19, 2007
Synopsis
How do you measure the distance from an African village to an American city? What does it mean to be a refugee in today's "global village"? Rain in a Dry Land provides eye-opening answers as it chronicles the fortunes of two Somali Bantu families, transported by relief agencies from years of civil war and refugee life to Springfield, Massachusetts and Atlanta, Georgia. As the newcomers confront racism, poverty and 21st-century culture shock, the film captures their efforts to survive in America and create a safe haven for their war-torn families. Their poetry, humor and amazing resilience show us our own world through new eyes. A co-production with the Independent Television Service (ITVS).
Are you aware of our Comment Policy?
* Your email address is for verification purposes only and will not be published, shared, or sold to other entities.
Share This
Filmmaker
[T]he film doesn't sugarcoat their story; it shows them in their amazing beauty and poetry and resilience, but it also shows them in really down times.”
— Anne Makepeace, Filmmaker
Buy the Film
Film Update
June 5, 2007
Explore the Topic
Lost Boys of Sudan | Interviews: In Search of a Durable Solution
Over the course of three years (2004 to 2007), seven experts from the field talk about the pressing resettlement issues facing refugees, refugee children and orphans in a post-9/11 world.
Critical Acclaim
The particular strength of this film is in its intimacy, its insistence on portraying immigrants as complicated, high-strung people negotiating the personal boundaries between their traditions and western modernity.”
— Stephen Holden
The New York Times
Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 9 reviews
Thanks for showing this movie, it was a heart warming movie and it gave me alot of hope and motivation. I my self I am from Somalia, I was very lucky that I didn't face war directly.
I found all the people in this movie very strong, positiv and real...... thanks you all for this film
your sister
afra
by Afra
July 19, 2009, 9:07 PM
LOVED THIS DOCUMENTARY
This showed the amount of good that America is providing for refugees but more importantly it also showed the lack of continuous support and resources. If you are going to help it should be done in its entirety.
by Petruvna
July 19, 2009, 9:09 PM
teacher/educator
i want to see the whole film. the film-maker states that the so-called Bantu somalis were denied education in somalia. when there was not a WAR, this was not true. i was a peace corps teacher in mogadishu and had kids from these groups in my classes in middle school. the ethnic groups are more integrated into society than the current U.S. tribal-based immigration policy would make one believe.
by virginia jama
July 20, 2009, 3:09 PM
teacher/educator
i want to see the whole film. the film-maker states that the so-called Bantu somalis were denied education in somalia. when there was not a WAR, this was not true. i was a peace corps teacher in mogadishu and had kids from these groups in my classes in middle school. the ethnic groups are more integrated into society than the current U.S. tribal-based immigration policy would make one believe.
by virginia jama
July 20, 2009, 3:09 PM
THIS IS NOT A TRUE STORY
I COULND BLEIVE WHEN I READ THE SCRIPTION OF THE MOVE,
THERE WAS NO ANY DISCRIMINATION IN SOMALI WHAT SO EVER. I COME FROM MINORITY GROUP SO CALLED GALADI AND WE NEVER HAD ANY DISCRIMINATION AT ALL. IF SOME ONE WANTS TO COME UNITED STATES THEY CN CLAIMED THEY HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED BY OTHER SOMALIANS IN ONDER TO GET TO STATE OR CANADA, OR ANY OTHER WESTERN COUTRYS. THIS IS BASE LESS STORY AND YOU CAN ASK ANY SOMALIANS. THANKYOU.
by omar from edmonton, alberta
November 16, 2009, 6:05 AM
A reaction to the reactions
The varied reactions were most interesting. I hadn't thought about the possibility that America's giving preference to immigrants who've been victims of discrimination may be encouraging people to falsely allege discrimination. But from what I know of the treatment of minority groups all over the world (not to mention right in this country), I'd guess that most really have been discrimination victims.
I couldn't do a rating, since I haven't seen the full documentary yet.
by Andy Twedt from St. Paul, Minnesota
December 3, 2009, 9:39 PM
Refugee Struggle
I watched this film from the perspective of the refugee experience in coming to America. I watched the appearance of two different assimilation/integration programs and how they managed the process. The lack of support was apparent and the training at the beginning for the Springfield family was poor. I enjoyed the "American" ending that portrayed a lot of healing and the beginning of a good life, but I liked how the reality of life was shown.
by Naomi Hagen from Minneapolis, MN
January 10, 2010, 2:06 AM
This was a very revealing documentary. It helped show me why we need to have even more compassion for immigrants who cannot speak English yet and also showed the need for greater financial support. We should also more carefully consider the weather of the cities we settle people in. And $750 a month for rent? Plus utilities? Plus it is so cold there? Only six months to come to a city not knowing any English or how to do things in a different culture? I've never been able to afford that kind of money for rent. Helping a family get to America is wonderful, but we need to do it in a better way. I'm really glad I saw this. Thank you.
by Joy from St. Paul, MN
January 10, 2010, 8:00 PM
I forgot to rate...it's a definite five star, and I'd love to see a follow-up documentary.
by Joy from St. Paul, MN
January 10, 2010, 8:03 PM